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Image quality test results have been added to the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens page.
 
Acquisition of a general purpose zoom should be a top priority for any photographer. For those with an Canon EOS R, the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM represents a great balance between focal length range, max aperture, size/weight, image quality and price.
 
Below are a couple of image quality comparisons to get you started:
 
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L USM vs. Canon EF 24-105mm f/4L IS II USM
Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L USM vs. Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM
 
The Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens is available for preorder at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX | Henry's.
 
Rent the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM from Lensrentals.

Image quality test results from the Canon EOS 5Ds R have been added to the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens Review.
 
Here are some comparisons to get you started:
 
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art Lens vs. Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art Lens vs. Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S Nikkor Lens
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art Lens vs. Zeiss Milvus 35mm f/2 Lens
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art Lens vs. Tamron 35mm f/1.8 Di VC USD Lens
 
The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
 
Rent the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens from Lensrentals.

Noise test results have been added to the Canon EOS R Review page.
 
Unsurprisingly, the Canon EOS R vs. 5D Mark IV comparison shows the two cameras about equal.
 
I'll describe the results in more depth in the full review, but the processing standard uses Canon Digital Photo Professional with the Standard Picture Style and a sharpness setting of "1" (on a 1-10 scale). The Camera default uses the Standard Picture Style with an unsharp mask (USM) strength setting of "4" (too high). NR represents noise reduction and MSNR is multi shot noise reduction.
 
With 250 test images with each needing many processing steps (thousands total), there is a possibility that I have an error (or two) somewhere in these results. Please point them out if you find any. Note that the ISO 40000 results are not showing due to a software bug in the tool. I'll fix that, but ... you don't want to use ISO 40000 anyway.
 
The Canon EOS R is available for preorder at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.

Image quality test results have been added to the Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens page.
 
Canon didn't hold back with the quality level of its initial lens selection for the Canon EOS R and the new RF 50mm f/1.2L warrants attention. This lens is well-built, looks great, focuses quickly and with the R behind it and a little contrast in front of it, this lens focuses in ridiculously dark scenarios even when I cover the focus assist light (it is very impressive).
 
I need to talk about the EOS R image quality a bit to clarify the results we are seeing from this lens. This EOS R vs. 5D Mark IV image quality comparison should be a decent one. These two cameras have the same resolution and the compared lenses, stopped down to f/5.6, are both very sharp with little distortion. What you will immediately see (and I think you are going to see this corroborated in forthcoming test results) is that the 5D Mark IV's image is sharper. While it immediately looks like the 5D IV is delivering better image quality, that is not necessarily the case.
 
We have long been using a low Canon Digital Photo Professional sharpness setting of "1" (on a 1-10 scale) for lens testing as sharpening quickly masks differences between lenses. While it seems that increasing the sharpness of an image is a cheap fix to poor lens quality, that sharpening quickly becomes destructive to details, ruining the fine image quality you were seeking in the first place. Camera manufacturers know that you like sharp images and they crank up the default sharpness in attempt to make you happy. Nearly always, that setting is at a very destructive level. Fortunately, you can adjust the sharpness level to your taste.
 
There is a long pipeline between the imaging sensor and the final image file and not all cameras utilize identical hardware and software (more often, they do not). More specifically to the point, the amount of sharpening showing in a final JPG image processed using the same settings is not always the same. And, that is the case here.
 
If you zoom in your browser while looking at the 5D IV result, you will see some slight over-sharpening halos, slightly brighter colors around the border of the darker ones. I gave strong consideration to using a sharpness setting of "2" as the default for the EOS R, but the halos began showing at that setting. So, we are staying the course with the standard sharpness setting of "1". You of course can increase your sharpness setting as desired. A setting of about "2" approximately matches the 5D IV. Download the crops shared here and apply your preferred sharpening routine.
 
Ready to be impressed? Check out this comparison (visualize the resolution difference):
 
Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L compared to the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L Lens
 
This might be the 50mm lens you've been waiting for.
 
The Canon RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens is available for preorder at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
 
Here are all of the EOS R, RF lens and accessory preorder links.

I'm back from the Canon announcement event and suffering from a strong case of information overload. I'll have new information to share for months.
 
I have the Canon EOS R, the RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens, the RF 50mm f/1.2L USM Lens and an adapter for testing and have experience with this gear along with the incredible Canon RF 28-70mm f/2L USM Lens. If you need not-yet-posted information to make a purchasing decision, please email me!
 
In this post, I'll address the Canon EOS R battery.
 
First, I love that the Canon EOS R uses the same LP-E6N Li-ion Battery utilized by a large number of recent and current Canon EOS Cameras, including the 5D Mark IV, 5Ds R, 5Ds, 6D Mark II, 7D Mark II and 80D. This has been a great battery, in both performance, reliability and size (several fit comfortably in my pocket). Note that the older LP-E6 (no "N") is also supported by the EOS R (the "N" model has increased capacity, 1800 mAh vs. 1865 mAh).
 
That I have accumulated a large supply of these batteries is especially useful. I love the simplicity of being able to share the LP-E6N batteries and chargers across my kit and also appreciate that I can take a single, small, direct-plug charger when traveling, even when I have multiple camera models along. That I am accumulating a large number of these chargers is also convenient for those times I need to quickly charge a large number of batteries (my family loves when I plug 6 of these in the kitchen receptacles).
 
Battery life is a very relevant camera spec and mirrorless cameras typically have disappointingly-low battery life ratings and this one gets the same: approx. 370 shots (at 23°C). However, CIPA battery life ratings and real-world experience can differ significantly and that is especially true with my EOS R experience to date.
 
My first fully-charged LP-E6N battery provided 1510 images with 3% battery charge remaining. That is a very impressive number for any camera, though many short high-speed frame rate bursts surely aided that experience. Still impressive was the second full charge delivering over 1100 images with 9% remainging for an expected life of well over 1300 images. Again, some short bursts were captured, but many slow and carefully-aligned landscape images were also captured. The third charge yielded 560 images at 17% battery life remaining for an expected life of approximately 670 images. This set of images was captured in higher battery drain situations that including waiting for the perfect moments to occur at a low light event.
 
I'm very pleased with all of these results. Those are numbers I can easily live with. Note that scenarios generating a high number of images tend to incorporate high frame rate shooting which results in a correspondingly higher number of images per fully charged battery.
 
The EOS R provides a 6-level battery indicator on the top LCD and a specific percent remaining value in the Battery Information menu. This menu also provides a shutter count and a recharge performance rating for the installed battery.
 
Much more to come!

Just posted: Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens Review.
 
It is what we've come to expect from the Sigma Art series: an excellent lens.
 
The Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
 
Rent the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens from Lensrentals.

Just posted: Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens Review.
 
This lens deserves a role in most Sony kits.
 
The Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
 
Rent the Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G OSS Lens from Lensrentals.

Image quality test results from the Canon EOS 5Ds R have been added to the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens Review.
 
Unsurprisingly, we see the 5Ds R stressing this lens' capabilities more than the 1Ds Mark III. Here are a couple of comparisons to get you started:
 
Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art compared to Canon 24mm f/1.4L II Lens
Sigma 24mm f/1.4 Art compared to Zeiss 28mm f/1.4 Otus Lens
 
Be sure to also compare the prices.
 
The Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
 
Rent the Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens from Lensrentals.

Image quality, vignetting and distortion test results have been added to the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens page.
 
Interesting results. There are many relevant comparisons to be made, but I'll get you started:
 
Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G vs. Canon EF 11-24mm f/4L Lens
Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G vs. Sigma 12-24mm f/4 Art Lens
Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G vs. Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 Art Lens
Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G vs. Irix 11mm f/4 Lens
Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G vs. Venus Optics Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Lens
 
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
 
Rent the Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens from Lensrentals.

Image quality test results have been added to the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens page.
 
This top-selling lens has very good image quality and an attractive price. Here are some comparisons:
 
Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 vs. FE 85mm f/1.4 GM Lens (at f/2)
Sony FE 85mm vs. Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 Lens
Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 vs. Tamron 85mm f/1.8 VC USD Lens
 
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens is in stock or available for order at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
 
Rent the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens from Lensrentals.

Sony FE 28mm f/2 Lens Review.
 
Small, light, nicely-built and a decent performer, especially for being cheap.
 
The Sony FE 28mm f/2 Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
 
Rent the Sony FE 28mm f/2 Lens from Lensrentals.

Installing a Sony firmware update on an alpha a7R III and other similar series cameras involves downloading the updated firmware, connecting the camera to the computer via a USB cable and executing the downloaded software. When instructed to do so, the software does its task, leaving the camera in an updated state.
 
I need to clarify that last statement: it leaves the camera in an updated state if all goes as desired. After attempting to install Sony a7R III Firmware v.1.10, my camera had only a little red access lamp illuminated on the back. While that was concerning to me, cycling the camera power fixes most camera (and computer) problems and I immediately took that option. Unfortunately, the light remained on. Especially with the buggy early firmware of the a7R II, I wasn't worried. I simply removed and reinserted the (fully charged) battery. Still, the only sign of life was the red light.
 
I was leaving for a more than 1 week long photo trip the next day. I have backup cameras that I could have taken instead of this one, but I didn't have any more Sony cameras and I intended evaluate some Sony lenses while traveling. Right, installing updated firmware just before leaving wasn't the brightest idea, but things are crazy here and ... that was when I found time to get the task done.
 
Anyway, what you really want to know is "What should I do when a Sony firmware update leaves only the red access light illuminated on the back of the camera?" Re-installing the firmware upgrade, potentially multiple times, (usually) solves this problem. It was that easy for me and hopefully it will be that easy for you.
 
I don't know why the firmware update failed the first time but worked the second time and that is a problem (and a waste of time and energy). But, that the camera was working again in a short period of time was ... sweet. And now, if you experience the same problem, you will know what to do.

Just posted: Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens Review.
 
A lot of Sony-based photographers will want this lens in their kits.
 
The Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
 
Rent the Sony FE 16-35mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens from Lensrentals.
 
B&H also has a used Sony 16-35mm f/4 Lens in stock for only $1,009.95.

Image quality test results have been added to the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art Lens Review.
 
The wide open results from this lens are remarkable, especially for the low price.
 
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art vs. Canon 100mm f/2.8L IS Lens
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art vs. Sony 90mm f/2.8 Macro OSS Lens
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art vs. Tamron 90mm f/2.8 VC Macro Lens
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art vs. Zeiss Milvus 100mm f/2M Lens
 
Visualize the camera resolution difference in the following comparisons:
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art vs. Tokina 100mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro Macro Lens
Sigma 70mm f/2.8 Art vs. Sigma 105mm f/2.8 OS Macro Lens
 
The Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
 
Rent the Sigma 70mm f/2.8 DG Macro Art Lens from Lensrentals.

Just posted: Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS Lens Review.
 
Need a high quality, relatively light weight telephoto zoom for your Sony kit? This lens is a great choice.
 
The Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS Lens is in stock at B&H | Amazon | Adorama | WEX.
 
Rent the Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS Lens from Lensrentals.